Becoming Faithful: How God Works in Us While We Wait

Oct 27

I had been rocking a baby in my arms for weeks on end, deep in the tender trenches of motherhood, when nights and days all become one, everyone’s clothes are branded with a stain of some kind, and uninterrupted showers become a rare luxury requiring the sort of strategic planning usually reserved for military operations or NASA launches.

I felt drained in those days—depleted of energy, motivation, and pieces of the woman I used to be. Motherhood was—and often still is—a beautifully overwhelming, exhausting, and sacred kind of hard. As I gazed into the perfect faces of my babies, it all felt worth it. And yet... part of me longed for more. I missed the version of myself I had been before—the one who felt more whole, more alive, more me. But during those endless nights of wakeups and the long days filled with spilled milk, toddler tears, tripped-over toys, sleep regressions, and potty-training disasters... she was nowhere to be found.

I caught glimpses of her now and then—the woman I used to be—usually after a full night’s sleep or in the rare moments when energy returned like a gust of wind. In those early days of motherhood, I was in full-on mom mode—nearly 100% of the time. But I never stopped dreaming. I never stopped wanting.

I think many of us can relate. Our children need so much from us when they’re little. It’s a precious, sacred season—but if I’m honest, being completely consumed by motherhood sometimes felt like too much. It did for me. My creative, independent spirit was quietly aching for space to breathe again. But that just wasn’t the season for it.

Before I became a mom, writing was something I did for fun, when inspiration struck. I wasn’t consistent, but I always knew it was something I was meant to do. Ironically, becoming a mother stirred my desire to write more deeply than ever before—yet motherhood also made writing feel impossibly out of reach.

I will never forget one particular moment from those earlier years when I felt inspired and excited to start writing again. I started a new blog, outlined its content, spent nearly all my free time one day getting it up and running, wrote one blog post, and then didn’t write anything or even visit the blog for several months. Whenever I thought about my little blog, likely gathering internet cobwebs, I was reminded of the reality of the season I was in — a season for raising babies and not blogs.

Another time during this similar season, I was struck with inspiration again and outlined an entire book about my journey as a mom. It felt so right, so perfect, and well-crafted, and I was certain I could pull it off. I already knew, even then, I was meant to write a book. That outline has sat untouched since the day I drafted it.

Back then, my dreams felt like castaways, thrown onto a deserted island that I couldn’t reach. I longed for the ability to sit and write; pour my heart onto paper and do something with the words I’d been given. God, why give me this gift, these messages, and this desire if I can’t ever do anything with them? I’d pray over and over during those years as a mom of two little ones.

My friend, have you ever felt on the other side of where you want to be? An ocean between you and your dreams? I imagine we’ve all felt left out or stranded when it comes to who we want to be or become.

But the good news is that God isn't done with us. Scripture is very clear on that and assures us that we can walk through any season with confidence in the plan God has for us. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Recently, I was out for my evening walk, and my mind was wandering, not really tethered to any one thing, and just as I rounded the corner onto the road home, I was struck by an incredible, tear-inducing thought.

The woman I am now is the very one I used to dream about becoming—back in the days and nights filled with rocking babies, changing diapers, and endlessly refilling milk cups. All the writing I once longed to do has slowly become my new normal. I wrote a book. I’m writing newsletters, articles for local newspapers, and soon, I’ll be pitching to other publications.

That evening, I paused on a dusty gravel road and turned my eyes toward the setting sun, overcome with awe and gratitude for God—the One who has always known the deepest desires of my heart. The One who formed me with care, who knows every skill and gift because He chose them for me. The One who whispered to my weary heart years ago, “Be patient. Be faithful.” And who is still fulfilling the good work He began in me.

From Waiting to Wonder—Joseph’s Story

There’s a man in Scripture who knew all about waiting.

Joseph, the dreamer, once envisioned greatness—a future filled with promise, purpose, and God-ordained leadership. But instead of walking straight into that destiny, he was sold by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, falsely accused, and imprisoned for years.

His dreams must have felt impossibly distant—abandoned on a desert island just like mine once were.

And yet, through every twist in the story, Joseph remained faithful. He served diligently in places he didn’t choose. He trusted God in seasons that didn’t make sense. And in time—God’s time—Joseph’s life was raised from the pit to the palace.

The very dreams that once felt far off were fulfilled, not just for his own good, but for the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20).

Becoming Faithful

God often does His deepest work in us during the seasons when it seems like nothing is happening.

If you’re in a place where your calling feels delayed, your gifts underused, or your dreams out of reach—friend, you’re not forgotten. You are being formed. Like Joseph, like me, and like so many others who’ve waited in quiet places, God is shaping your character in the shadows so that when the light comes, you’ll be ready to carry what He’s prepared for you.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God finishes what He starts. His timing is never rushed. Never delayed. Always perfect.

Reflect

What dreams or desires have you had to lay down in certain seasons? How might God be growing faithfulness in you during this time of waiting?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the dreams You've placed within me. Help me trust Your timing and stay faithful in the season I'm in. Remind me that You never forget the work You’ve begun—and You will complete it, for Your glory and my good. Amen.

Erica Kingsbury